Neymar 'not proud' of transfer fee, being world's most expensive player

Former Brazilian striker Ronaldo expresses his admiration for Neymar and hopes he continues to break records for many years to come.

Legendary Brazilian striker and World Cup winner Ronaldo reveals his picks for the tournament winners and the golden boot.

The FC crew discuss what separates Brazil from some other elite World Cup squads and how Neymar will get on in Russia.

Marcelo is confident Neymar will play for Real Madrid one day, regardless of whether Cristiano Ronaldo remains at the club.

Neymar said he is uncomfortable with being the most expensive player in the world and that he would have not paid €222 million for himself when he moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain last year.

The Brazil international made the switch after the release clause in his contract was met and, in an interview with Spox, acknowledged discomfort with the amount.

“I’m not proud of my transfer fee, or the fact that I’m the most expensive player ever,” Neymar said. “That’s money and nothing else. I can’t help it. Personally, I would have paid less for myself.

“I am proud that I achieved the goals I set myself as a kid. That was and always will be most important to me. It, of course, makes me proud to have been welcomed at my clubs and to have reached many sporting goals there. You always need to show who you are as a player, and you must stand your ground. To just point to the transfer fee does not help you at all and also doesn’t say how good you really are.”

Neymar was named the Ligue 1 player of the year in his first season with PSG, and he scored 26 goals in all competitions despite missing the club’s final 16 games with a broken right foot.

Amid persistent speculation that he will leave PSG for Real Madrid as soon as this summer, likely for an even larger transfer fee, he has since recovered from the injury and rejoined Brazil for friendlies against Croatia and Austria earlier this month in advance of the World Cup opener against Switzerland on June 17.

Winning the competition, which would be Brazil’s sixth title and first since 2002, would help Brazil gain a measure of retaliation following their 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semifinals as hosts four years ago.

“I felt as beaten as the team was and was affected like everyone else,” said Neymar, who missed the game because of a back injury. “The expectations on us in our own country were almost inhumanly high and Germany were an excellent opponent.

“We knew it would be hard. Unfortunately, it went as it did. Now we finally have the opportunity to forget about the last World Cup. Maybe we will meet Germany again — and then hopefully, we will have real revenge.”

Former Brazilian striker Ronaldo expresses his admiration for Neymar and hopes he continues to break records for many years to come.
Legendary Brazilian striker and World Cup winner Ronaldo reveals his picks for the tournament winners and the golden boot.
The FC crew discuss what separates Brazil from...